What is the most difficult thing about living in Thailand

[Guess]

....................does anyone else who has some kind of business/worked here feel that the day to day, relatively minor but annoying as hell, issues do not affect you as much as those who are simply retired...............

Yes. It's a sad fact of life but if you run a business you have to factor in costs of all kinds into your business plans. I even write it down on a receipt and put it in my books.

Come the revolution and it might make interesting reading.

Sargeant can you tell me the best place to get a halo. Mine's got a bit tarnished over the years.

[Vital Spark]

Bare-faced lying. I think it may have been mentioned before, but I've just about had my fill of it this week.

Student: 'Sorry, I have to go home because my grandmother is dying, so I want to do my sapeeking test today instead of Thursday/Friday'. Read: I want to go home so I can go shopping with my Mum and I really don't want to be at university (studying for my degree) for more than three days a week.

What really gets me is that they can look you straight in the eye whilst doing it! They've mastered the art, they've had plenty of practice.

Sadly it's not just students, and it's one part of Thai culture (yes, it's so endemic that it's become part of the culture) that I can never accept.

VS

P.S. I'm not a whinging pom, I just have morals.

[Super Joe]

VS wrote:

Bare-faced lying. I think it may have been mentioned before, but I've just about had my fill of it this week.

Guilty, although I swapped it for 'whinging poms' today
Lying is just second nature for Thais, try being married to one!! I've been lied to about what we're having for dinner as I suggested lets have 'x' tonight but she forgot to pick it up at the market, so she lies about it until the plate hits the coffee table. Its mental.
I've been lied to about deliveries from supplies for just about 90% of the time, what amazes me about it is that they know it will be revealed in a few days anyway.

The 'whinging' comment is about the talk of 60 Baht to get in a national park when Thais are 20 Baht, assistant in HomePro doesn't understand what a junior hacksaw is, 140 Baht for a beer in Hilton, tea money at government departments.

SJ

[Vital Spark]

.... try being married to one!!

No, thank you!

They're all too skinny and effeminate. Anyway, they can't cook!

VS

[Spitfire]

I'll throw one last trait into this one and that is that many(not all) females of local origin can be on a 'hair trigger' setting with the mouth, no safety-catch.

No fuse at all, just light and instantly explode.

Suppose it's just over-sensitivity.

[sargeant]

I was expecting the Halo comment guess fortunately i have never been asked to pay a bribe and even when stopped twice for no crash helmet i wasnt asked for 200 in the pocket and went to the police station . I dont offer or ask if i can bribe because knowing my luck i will get the person that would have me done for offering it so i stay quiet.
Nothing to do with Halo its just that i am not so daft as to end up in front of a judge for bribery, lack of balls maybe, but when it happens it wont be me but i will larf as the screams come in.

[Cowtown Comedy]

I have to agree with VS. I can tolerate most things in Thailand that we would consider abnormal. It is what it is, but the lying is difficult for me to accept. Believe me, the idea that lying is somewhat acceptable to a Thai reaches far beyond soi Bintabaht.

[sargeant]

Lying from my immediate family is not tolerated and has been a problem in the past but although it has now stopped i am always wary. Mrs Sarge says you no truss me my answer is as always you go hoc i no truss took dong na cap. I have found this nearly always coincides with a newly found friend who has leech like tendancies and latches on to take advantage of Mrs Sarges good nature and purse.
Human leeches are a problem over here